UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Carinthian Nockberge Gentle green mountains as far as the eye can see

Hidden treasurses

Mining was a tradition in the Nockberge mountains for centuries. With the decline of iron mining and the end of garnet mining due to a lack of profitability, mountain farming played an increasingly important role for the population. The near-natural cultivation of farms and mountain pastures contributed significantly to the creation of the typical cultural landscape of the Nockberge. Lush flowering mountain meadows - often framed by traditional wooden fences, roofs covered with larch shingles and buildings of cultural and historical value characterise the landscape of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Carinthian Nockberge.

Even though ore is no longer mined in the Nockberge mountains today, it is thanks to a geological fact that it is possible to bathe in warm springs in Bad Kleinkirchheim. The water, which seeps under the green alpine meadows in a layer of limestone and dolomite, heats up on its way down and reappears in the high valley at the foot of the Nockberge mountains as 36 °C warm thermal water.

Survivalists and fragrant meadows

The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Carinthian Nockberge is home to true survivors. The stone pine, also known as the Swiss stone pine or Swiss stone pine (Pinus cembra), prefers altitudes of 1,500 to 2,500 metres and is considered a characteristic tree of the Nockberge mountains. It is known for its longevity and slow growth. Some specimens in the biosphere park are around 1,000 years old.

The stone pine is not only of interest because of its ecological importance, but also because of its wood and essential oils, which are used in a variety of ways. Swiss stone pine wood is highly valued for its pleasant fragrance. It is used in furniture production, interior design and the manufacture of decorative items. The essential oils of Swiss stone pine are also said to have a positive effect on health, such as a calming effect and the promotion of healthy sleep.

In the Nockberge mountains, where the forests merge into extensive alpine meadows, the Speik also finds ideal living conditions. It is often its intense scent that draws hikers' attention to the inconspicuous plant at the edge of the path and invites them to take a break. Just take a seat, because the Speik is known for its calming and relaxing effect and has been valued for centuries in folk medicine and perfumery. Today, the Speik is protected in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Carinthian Nockberge due to its rarity. The extraction of the valuable essential oils is sustainable and controlled in order to preserve the plant population.